This 'Schoolhouse'
still rocks on Arlington stage'
By Punch Shaw
Special to DFW.com
A new teacher is worried
about how he is going to teach all the subjects he has to
handle. But a host of youngsters come to his rescue, assuring
and inspiring the worried rookie with educational song and dance
numbers in Theatre Arlington’s Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr.
The pros: This colorful,
energetic musical, based on the television series that is sort
of a graduate level of Sesame Street, is extremely
well-prepared and -presented. Director Todd Hart does a fine job
with a cast of 30 players, who are all under 18. The songs,
which have such off-putting titles as A Noun is a Person,
Place or Thing and Unpack Your Adjectives, are
surprisingly clever and well-composed. And every aspect of the
production — from the performances to the sets to the props
— reflects a great deal of hard work.
The cons: Very few. The
instrumental accompaniment is recorded. And the script is meant
to appeal to elementary school kids more than their parents.
But, if your little ones like this television series, they will
love this bright, cheerful and fast-paced show — and you might
also find these basic grammar-school lessons to be more
entertaining than you would expect.
Best moment: The Interplanet
Janet number, which teaches the solar system. The lighting,
singing, choreography and staging all sparkle in this segment on
the stars.
Running time: One hour and
five minutes, with one 15-minute intermission.
Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. Through March 15
Theatre Arlington, 305 W. Main Street
Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m.
$10
817-275-7661
Cayley Smith, Tevin Cates, Lorens Portalatin,
Jamison Manning, and Tyler Martin star in
Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr.
Photos by Eric Younkin
Kim Blouin of Mom2Momdfw.com
boasts,
"Expertly directed by Todd Hart, the production
efficiently features each member of the colorful, talented cast."
Click
here to read her full review.
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